World/Inferno Friendship Society’s Jack Terricloth on Halloween

It’s about time the people started their own holidays—Christmas is expensive, Thanksgiving is a perennial bummer, and Arbor Day’s gone so commercial. Enter the brainchild of the World/Inferno Friendship Society, Hallowmas, an annual concert/bacchanal that’s a jumble of old-timey hedonism and the moxie to imagine a better world. To describe it, the group’s frontman Jack Terricloth asks: “What if Leni Riefenstahl had said no to Hitler and moved to Hollywood? What if Paul Robeson had gotten an even break?” We’d say: If Juggalos were more into cabaret than Faygo, this would be their Gathering—in a good way?

Equal parts punk Mardi Gras and Dexys Midnight Runners, the World/Inferno Friendship Society is a soul-revival sermon for weirdos. Consummate showman Terricloth is entering his high holy week of sorts, in preparation for the group’s annual concert/bacchanal. Historically held in New York City (or sailing around it on the Hudson), the ridiculous event comes to Philadelphia this year on Oct. 31 at Union Transfer, with World/Inferno Friendship Society, Melt-Banana, and Mischief Brew. Beforehand, we caught up with Terricloth to ask about his best and worst Halloween/Hallowmas memories.

ChildhoodBest: “So, let me get this straight. We’re going out to threaten the neighbors for candy, and if they don’t give it to us we can take terrible retribution? What’s the catch?”Worst: “What happened to our windows?”

Teenage YearsBest: “My friends and I, back in suburban New Jersey, used to hang out in an abandoned quarry off Route 22. I don’t know how far underground it went, but it was maybe a 10-minute walk once you entered the tunnels. It was covered in candle wax and dated punk-rock graffiti. One year we boosted a gasoline-powered generator and put on a show—one mic, two amps, kit, gang of bands, maybe 75 kids, but it seemed like a lot. I was shocked to see the sun when we emerged.”Worst: “One year I had a broken heart and stayed in alone just to show the world I didn't care. So stupid.”